ISLAMABAD -- Renewed Indo-Pakistani conflict in Kashmir, just before U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage's August visit to the region, demonstrated how close to war South Asia's two nuclear rivals remain.
Pakistan claimed that India launched a new attack on its territory using fighter jets and ground troops. New Delhi denied the accusation. The northern Kashmir area in question was so inaccessible that independent confirmation of Islamabad's claim was impossible.
In the months ahead, the United States is likely to continue to urge New Delhi and Islamabad to launch a new peace initiative to prevent an escalation of tensions. Not only would a war have tragic consequences in itself; it would also affect the U.S. campaign against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Many analysts believe U.S. efforts in Afghanistan will continue for months, if not years, as rival Afghan groups continue to remain at odds. In addition, the situation in the nearby Middle East remains explosive and al-Qaeda is certain to attempt to exploit new flare-ups in the Palestinian-Israeli dispute.